Description

If You Denton Know Seth Morgan, now you do.

In this episode, Brad sits down with Seth Morgan, founder of Denton County Brewing Company, to talk about purpose, perseverance, community, and what it really took to open Denton’s first downtown brewery. From a 25 year career in financial services to global missionary work and nonprofit leadership, Seth’s story is about far more than beer.

Episode Overview

Seth shares how a life changing year as an exchange student in England shaped his view of beer as a community builder, not just a beverage. That idea stayed with him through decades in the corporate world, eventually becoming the foundation for Denton County Brewing Company.

The conversation explores the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including navigating changing Texas brewery laws, surviving 84 inspections, being scammed by a faulty brew equipment supplier, and pushing through the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Key Topics Discussed

• Growing up in Texas and finding home in Denton
• Studying abroad in England and discovering pub culture as a community space
• A 28 year career in financial services and brewing on the side
• Visiting hundreds of breweries across the country while traveling for work
• The moment Seth’s wife challenged him to stop talking and start building
• How a 2015 Texas law change opened the door for downtown breweries
• Renovating the McKinney Street building and surviving 84 inspections
• Being scammed on brewing equipment and working with the FBI
• Leading with a “burn the ships” mindset through early setbacks
• Navigating COVID with a people first philosophy
• Pivoting into distribution, canning, and new revenue streams
• Denton stepping up during crises including COVID and the ice storm
• Founding Orant Charities and two decades of humanitarian work
• Why Malawi became the focus of their nonprofit mission
• Building sustainable systems around water, food, medicine, education, and microfinance
• Brewing philosophy and why simple beers are the hardest to get right

About the Guest

Seth Morgan is the founder of Denton County Brewing Company and former Chair of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. He is also the co founder of Orant Charities, a nonprofit focused on long term poverty alleviation through clean water, healthcare, education, and economic development in Africa and beyond.

Closing Thought

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and keeping people at the center of everything you build. Whether you are an entrepreneur, community leader, or someone searching for purpose, Seth’s story offers powerful lessons on choosing integrity and perseverance when the path forward is unclear.